Kellie Pickler Has Advice For New "American Idol" Contestants

Former "American Idol" contestant Kellie Pickler has some advice for the new Idol contestants. According to an article in People, she warns that the people around her changed when she found success on Idol.

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Pickler was on the fifth season of "American Idol" and finished in sixth place. She has gone on to success as a country singer, with her debut album "Small Town Girl" selling over 700,000 copies. Three of her singles also made it onto the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Pickler said being on television in front of millions of people might not change the Idol contestants, but their friends and people they know may change. She told People Magazine that the contestants should, "surround yourself with people that support you and pray for you."

Pickler was a waitress at Sonic Burger in Albemarle, N.C. when she auditioned for Idol.

During her Idol run she was roommates with Katharine McPhee and the two became fast friends. Pickler was a bridesmaid in McPhee's wedding to Nick Cokas on Feb. 2.